Training manikin support

ABSTRACT

A support for a manikin is provided having a pair of opposed elongated extension members having a continuous substantially smooth outer surface forming a cradling surface to support a manikin minimizing the possibility that movement of the manikin will be interfered with through contact with the members when the manikin is removed from the cradling surface.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/066,568filed Feb. 6, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,566, the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/267,141 filed Feb. 8, 2001, the contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a support system that is designed tosupport an anatomically correct human form training manikin in anupright standing or semi-upright position. The invention is moreparticularly directed toward a support for a manikin which permits themanikin to be realistically released from the support in the performanceof a throwing, tripping, sweeping, pulling or pushing skill such asmight be applied while practicing the sport of judo, wrestling or othermartial arts sports, throughout a full and unrestricted 360 degreesabout the manikin. This invention is also directed to a roboticallycontrolled motor for moving a base member onto which the support ismounted to enable the practice of martial arts skills on a movingmanikin target.

It is important in developing useful training devices that participantsare able to practice their skills as realistically as possible. Often intraining law enforcement recruits in defensive and control tactics andother martial arts based training, the objective is to control thesuspect/opponent by forcing or otherwise throwing the suspect/opponentfrom a standing position to the ground whereupon the law enforcementofficer would restrain the suspect or the martial artist would gainhis/her credit. It is important to simulate as much as possible theunencumbered actual stance positions of a suspect or a trainingpartner/opponent and to enable trainees to move the manikin and in somecases remove the manikin from the support, if a skill is to be practicedrealistically. Thus, there is a need for a support for a manikin thatwill support the manikin in a realistic standing position and uponapplication of a pre-determined force as undertaken during a trainingsimulation, permit rotation or deflection of the manikin in the supportor complete removal of the manikin in a realistic manner. This generallyrequires a horizontal deflection or rotational movement of the manikinin the support or in the process of removing the manikin from thesupport.

Human form training manikin, such as those disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/531,593 (Farenholtz) require support in order toremain in an upright standing position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,733 issuedOct. 6, 1992 (Farenholtz) discloses a system that provides for atraining manikin to be mounted and supported on a support arm. In thisway martial arts participants are able to move around the trainingmanikin albeit with the undesirable effect of the support armencumbering their performance and desired practice. This inventioneliminates a horizontal support arm by placing the support and its basebetween the legs of the training manikin. The design of this trainingmanikin support system permits the user to perform striking and/orthrowing skills unencumbered through a full 360 degrees around thetraining manikin.

There is also a need for the training manikin to move more realisticallyon its support or be more realistically removed from its support inresponse to forces applied to it by participants. This inventionincludes a training manikin with a support and methods of use by whichthe training manikin will respond to levels and types of forces that areapplied in a more realistic manner. For example, while a support may beemployed which cradles the manikin between a pair of opposed extensionmembers holding the manikin in an upright standing position, unlessthose extension members are deflectable they will interfere with thehorizontal, or rotational, movement of the manikin in the supportrequiring the lifting of the manikin in an unrealistic manner in orderto move the manikin horizontally or rotate it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A support for a manikin includes first and second opposed, elongatedextension members when normally positioned cooperating to form acradling surface to support the manikin, the members comprising an outersurface of continuous substantially smooth contour, thereby minimizingthe possibility that the movement of the manikin will be interfered withthrough contact with the members when the manikin is moved with respectto the cradling surface. A base member connector is provided forconnecting the extension members to a base member and the firstextension member is biased in an inward direction toward the secondextension member to return to its normal position and moveable from itsnormal position in an outward direction away from the second extensionmember upon application of a pre-determined force on the first extensionmember. When the manikin is supported by the cradling surface themanikin may be moved in an outward direction on movement of the firstextension member in the outward direction on application of thepre-determined force.

The extension members may be curved upwardly and outwardly away from oneanother. Each member may comprise a pair of opposed sides in parallelalignment with one another. The corresponding sides of each member maybe in co-planar alignment. The members may be tubular in cross-section.The members may be of uniform width throughout their length. The membersmay be thinner in width at the outer end as compared to the inner end ofeach member. The members may be about 2 inches to 4 inches wide, andmore preferably about 3 inches wide.

The first extension member may be resiliently deformable so as to bemovable in the outward direction on application of the pre-determinedforce and due to its inward bias movable inwardly to its normal positionwhen the predetermined force is released from the first extensionmember. The first extension member may include biasing means for biasingthe first extension member in the inward direction, said biasing meansmovable on application of the predetermined force to permit movement ofthe first extension member in the outward direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a side view of a manikin and support for a manikin of thepresent invention, with components removed;

FIG. 2 is a further side view of the invention of FIG. 1, withcomponents removed;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the invention of FIG. 1, showing the manikinattached to the support;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the invention of FIG. 1 showing the trainingmanikin being rotated about an axis adjacent the cradling surface;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a base member connected to the support of theinvention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the base member and support depicted in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is an expanded partial view of the base member depicted in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the base member of FIG. 6 with a programmabledrive motor;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the support of FIG. 1 with a releasable manikinconnector;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the support and connector of FIG. 9 with thetraining manikin rotated 90 degrees into a released position;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the support of FIG. 1 with an offset basemember;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a non-symmetrical support for a manikin with alateral base member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a right side view of trainingmanikin 58 comprising head 102, torso 12, right arm 104, left arm (notshown), right leg 106 (with hip and upper thigh partially removed) andleft leg 108, is depicted supported on support 10 on base member 13.Joints (not shown) may be used to rotatably attach right arm 104, leftarm (not shown) and legs 106, 108 to manikin 58.

Referring to FIG. 1 base member 13 includes base 2 positioned on afloor. Base 2 can be a heavy cast iron or steel plate that can beoptionally solidly attached to a floor surface by a commonly used boltattachment system 17. Vertically and centrally positioned base post 3 isattached to base 2. The upper end of base post 3 includes a number ofspaced through holes 4 which permit the outer height adjustment pipe 5to slide into position to permit the insertion of a locking pin (notshown) similar to lower pin 6, in order to selectively adjust the heightof support 10 on base 2. Adjustment holes 4 are aligned in aside-to-side orientation so as to reduce the potential for contactinjury as the lower pins are positioned on the inside of the legs 106,108. Pins 6 and 7 and their corresponding holes are aligned in a frontto rear orientation so that pins 6 and 7 do not contact legs 106, 108 ofthe training manikin 58 as legs 106, 108 are moved. Pin 6 and itscorresponding through-holes are positioned at the bottom end of mountingpost 8 of support 10. The through-holes extending through post 8 arealigned with corresponding holes through pipe 5 when post 8 ispositioned in the upper end of pipe 5 as depicted in FIG. 1. Thepositioning of bottom pin 6 is such that the bottom of mounting post 8rests on bottom pin 6 permitting support 10 (and thereby trainingmanikin 58) to rotate 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis of pipe5. Bottom pin 6 is made of a case hardened steel and thus will not wearand obviates the need for a bearing system on which to rest the mountingpost. Top pin 7 may be inserted into aligned through-holes in pipe 5 andpost 8 to lock support 10 in a position such that manikin in support 10faces a forward direction.

Post 8 is of the same diameter as post 3 and therefore inserts androtates within pipe 5 when pin 7 is removed. A relatively shortsemi-circular-shaped steel plate 9 is attached to the top of post 8about which a resiliently deformable material, for example urethane, orrubber, is formed to define support 10 and extension members 26. It isimportant that the support 10 and extension members 26 be wide enough tosupport manikin cradling surface 14 but not too wide so as to catch legs106, 108 of the training manikin 58 thereby encumbering the throwingaction of the training manikin 58 from support 10. We have found that awidth of support 10 of about between 2 to 4 inches (or about 5 to 10 cm)is acceptable with a width of about 3 inches (or about 7.6 cm) beingpreferred. As well, in order to minimize the possibility that themovement of manikin 58 will be interfered with through contact withmembers 26 when manikin is 58 is moved with respect to cradling surface14, extension members 26 are elongated with an outer surface ofcontinuous substantially smooth contour. Members 26 also have sideswhich are parallel with one another and which are in co-planaralignment.

Further, the flexible urethane cover 22 when in a normal positionextending upwardly and outwardly to form cradling surface 14 must offersufficient forward and backward stabilizing support to the trainingmanikin 58 such that training manikin 58 does not unintentionally falloff of support 10. It has been found that a urethane or rubber materialcomprising extension members 26 having a shore hardness range factor ofbetween 70D and 95A provides the required level of flexible resistancewith the preferred shore hardness factor being about 60D which requiresabout 134 N of force to deflect extension member 26. The level of forceapplied on manikin 58 required to deflect extension member 26 will varywith the type of skill being applied (e.g. force on the neck as comparedto the waist) and the weight of the manikin as it tips either forward orbackward against extension member 26. For example, with a user throwingthe manikin over his/her hip the manikin would be pulled forward, liftedslightly and twisted (in a spiraling action) in a three dimensionalforward, upward (briefly) and downward direction all within a very briefperiod of time. This action requires a flexible, yet responsive actionon extension members 26.

Manikin 58 is designed to be fairly evenly balanced about its center ofgravity while resting on support 10 and will rotate about support 10with little force applied the resistance to rotation and removal ofmanikin 58 from support 10 results from the resiliency of extensionmembers 26 and magnet 11. Preferably extension members 26 aredeflectable to the position demonstrated in FIG. 4 upon application of aforce of about 134 Newtons (N). Magnet 11 being used is manufactured torequire about 267 N of pulling force to release magnet 11 from plate 9.Thus, when manikin 58 weighing 100 pounds or 45 Kg is lifted verticallythe person lifting manikin 58 would be required to apply more than 160pounds [i.e. about 712 N] of lifting force. On the other hand a personapplying horizontal force would be required to overcome the resiliencyof extension member 26 of about 133 Newtons plus the resistance force ofmagnet 11 acting on base 9 of 60 pounds (or about 267 Newtons) for atotal of 400 N of force. As noted earlier, in reality these forces arerarely vertical or horizontal and thus when a throwing skill is appliedto the manikin three-dimensional forces are applied to the manikininvoking rotational and angular leveraged forces being applied atvarious points around the center of gravity. Our research into thedesign of support 10 and magnet 11 system demonstrates that a force ofabout 98 N applied forward (or backward) against the neck of the manikin58 is sufficient to consistently release manikin 58 from the magnet 11and cause extension member 26 to be deflected to the position as shownin FIG. 4. The stronger the magnet, the harder the urethane and thelonger the extension members 26, the more securely the manikin will beattached to support 10 requiring more force to remove manikin 58 fromsupport.

Cover 22 extends outwardly and upwardly in a curved manner (beyond plate9) to form a pair of opposed extension members 26. Extension members 26are normally curved upwardly and outwardly as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2and define cradling surface 14 on the upper surface of cover 22. Contactsurface 16 located in the crotch region between legs 106, 108 of manikin58 rests on cradling surface 14 when supported by support 10.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 manikin 58 maybe releasably secured onsupport 10 by means of magnet 11 (e.g. a rare earth or ceramic magnetscapable of greater than 50 lbs. attractive force or about 223 Newtons)inserted into manikin 58 adjacent contact surface 16. Magnet 11 willmagnetically attract steel plate 9 attached to post 5 and positionedwithin cover 22, to urge plate 9 and magnet 11 together to assist inreleasably securing and positioning manikin 58 in an upright position onsupport 10. Cover 22 on support 10 may include an exposed sectionrevealing plate 9 to facilitate magnetic attraction with magnet 11 ormay include only a limited thickness of urethane cover 22 to ensureadequate magnetic attraction between magnet 11 and plate 9. Ifnecessary, a stronger magnet may be used where a thicker urethane cover22 covers plate 9.

Referring to FIG. 2 the training manikin torso has been moved from itsvertical axis 83 to a forward position having axis 84 approximately 15degrees from vertical axis 83 demonstrating a typical martial artsfighting stance. The manikin torso 12 is maintained in this positionthrough the magnetic attraction of magnet 11 with steel plate 9 andbased on the curved shape of contact surface 16 and corresponding curvedshape of cradling surface 14. FIG. 2 also depicts an alternate base 15which may be used to secure the base member 13 to the floor. Base 15provides receptacle 24 for base post 3 negating the need to weld basepost 3 to base 62 as demonstrated in FIG. 1. Base 2 can be apolyethylene receptacle that is hollow to be filled with steel shot, forexample, to provide sufficient weight to keep base 2 on the floor asmanikin 58 is moved on support 10. Having a smooth and portable base 2provides the advantage of being usable on a matted surface withoutdamaging the surface and is self-supporting to be used withoutattachment to a wall, floor or other support structure.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of manikin 58 supported by support 10. FIG. 3demonstrates the preferred positioning of mounting post 8 and with itsbottom support pin 6 and directional locking pin 7 aligned with thefront and rear of support 10.

FIG. 3 depicts the optional attachment of manikin 58 to extensionmembers 26. Tie-down belt holes 18 are located in the top ends ofextension members 26 to permit the training manikin to be secured ontosupport 10, if desired.

Support 10 has two forward securing belt slots 18 at upper regions oneach of the front and rear extension members 26 of support 10. Slots 18are designed to receive side-connecting belts 19 that are connected tohorizontal belt 20 extending about torso 12, by means of a belt loop(not shown). A flat Velcro attachment system (not shown) may be employedto secure belt 20 about torso 12 to avoid the use of buckles or otherhard members that might harm participants.

FIG. 4 depicts manikin 58 in a position being partially released fromsupport 10. Front extension 26 of support 10 is flexed forwardly anddownwardly due to forces applied through various skills on manikin 58 inthe direction of arrow 45 thereby deflecting extension member 26 uponapplication of a pre-determined force on extension member 26. In thepreferred design support 10 is formed with a radius of 3.5 inches with apair of opposed extension member 26 curving upward forming a cradlingsurface 14 about 6 inches deep and constructed of shore hardness 60 Durethane 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Generally, a force of between10 kg and 25 kg [about between 98 and 245 N] is a suitable force whichis sufficient to deflect extension member 26 to enable manikin 58 to bemoved outwardly from support 10.

Further, FIG. 4 demonstrates the use of a large and substantiallyconstructed urethane or rubber suction cup 46 to support the verticallyaligned pipe 5. It can be appreciated that pipe 5 can be constructed ofa flexible urethane as well, for example a 60D durometer flexible buthard urethane, and thus permit the vertical post to flex in thedirection of applied forces.

FIG. 5 depicts a close-up view of support 10 connected to base member 13as demonstrated in FIG. 2 with the addition of four braking resistancewheels 21 (preferably a ball transfer wheel movable in any direction)that are attached to weighted base 15 using a common bolt andlock-washer system 29. Application or releasing of braking resistance onall or any of the four wheels 21 is achieved by tightening bolt handle23. If, for example, braking resistance was applied to one of the backwheels 21 and force was applied to the front of support 10 (as when amanikin 58 resting on cradling surface 14 is pushed with sufficientforce), base 15 (and training manikin 58) would then tend to rotatearound the resistance wheel 21 and thus provide a directionalrestrictively moving target. The user can by tightening or loosening theresistance applied to the wheels 21, set the desired direction of thetraining manikin movement as well as the rate of travel when forces areapplied on wheels 21.

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5 and depicts front extension member 26with slots 18 therein. As previously discussed, extension members 26must be wide enough such that when contact surface 16 of manikin 58rests on cradling surface 14, manikin 58 is supported without manikin 58tipping in a sideward direction. Preferably, extension member 26 isabout 5 centimeters to 10 centimeters wide which also defines the widthof cradling surface 14 which corresponds to the width of manikin 58contact surface 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates the attachment of magnets 27 (of 50 to 250 lbs. pullrelease capacity, or about 223 to 1,115 Newtons). The strength ofmagnets 27 depends on intended use, a weaker magnet for martial artstype training, a stronger magnet for other body contact sports programssuch as football where some movement of base 28 along floor plate 25 isdesired. In the final case to solidly attach base 28 to floor plate 25and in the latter case to permit sliding motion of base 28 on floorplate 25. Magnets 27 and base 28 cannot be easily moved along floorplate 25 when magnets 27 are in direct contact with a floor plate 25.When magnets 27 are separated slightly from floor plate 25 (e.g. up toabout ½ inch above floor plate 25) base 28 can be wheeled laterallyeasily over the plate 25 with little or no resistance from magnets 27.The magnetic force is reduced or increased in proportion to the distanceseparating the plate 25 and magnet 27. Using the magnetic attractiveforces of magnet 27 on plate 25 in combination with the braking force onwheel 21, the user can provide a floor plate 25 of a determined area(e.g. 20 feet by 20 feet as in a boxing ring or 6 feet by 30 feetsimulating a football line) and adjust the level of resistance ofmovement of the base on plate 25 thereby determining the amount of forcerequired to move the manikin 28 resting on support 10 in any chosendirection on floor plate 25. The use of the magnets 27 obviates the needto fill the base 15 with steel shot as demonstrated in FIG. 5, or theneed for any other weighted base structure. Magnets 27 can beselectively lowered to contact floor plate 25 to permit rotation of base28 about the one of magnets 27 contacting floor plate 25. Lateralrotational resistance can be determined by adjusting the braking forceon wheels 21. FIG. 7 depicts magnet 27 on the left lowered to engagefloor plate 25 and magnet on the right raised and spaced away from floorplate 25.

It should be noted that all bases and upright support posts may becovered with protective foam so as to reduce the potential for injury.

FIG. 8 depicts a direct current (DC) electrical motor 30 (with forwardand reverse capabilities) which can be controlled remotely throughinterfaced written and designed computer software programs. Motor 30 ispositioned and solidly attached to housing 28 in a vertically aligned,shaft down, position with a top and bottom support system 34 physicallyattached to housing 28 using steel stabilizers 32 with counter-sunkbolts 33.

The downward extending motor shaft is fitted with a key locked mitergear 35 (45 degree angle) that meshes with matching miter gear 36effectively changing the directional rotation of the motored force fromvertical to horizontal. Rotational forces are then transferred via shaft37, rotatably supported and positioned by oil-light bushings 38, tofloor contacting wheel 42. The end of shaft 37 is geared to ensurepositive contact with the flexible outer surface wheel 42 thus turningit either forward or backward in response to a computer generatedcommand. Wheel 42 is rotatably positioned at the end of shaft 41 andheld in position by pin 47. Shaft 41 is locked in position by lockingkey 40 that extends through housing block 48 through motor mountingplate 32.

The computer controlled base member may be used to support and movemanikin 58 to turn left or right about a radius determined by thelocking of an opposite wheel 21. Using this basic system design theaddition of another motor drive system (not shown) for an opposing wheel21 could be programmed to move base 28 forward or backward as well as torotate base 28 about a locked opposing wheel 21. The computer mayinstruct a mechanism to disengage wheel 21 from the power source bydisengaging gear 36 from gear 35.

The attachment of support 10 to base 28 is similar to that describedabove and includes vertically positioned post 3 extending from base 28and inserted into lower end of pipe 5 with mounting post 8 inserted intothe upper end of pipe 5. Attachment base 43 attaches post 3 to the topof base 28.

Referring to FIG. 9, support 10 is depicted with a system for releasablyretaining manikin 58 in support 10. FIG. 9 depicts manikin 58 in apre-load position just prior to movement of manikin 58 into support 10by moving member 58 in the direction of arrow 56. Compression spring 52is biased to apply upward force on overlapping clamp arm system 54causing each arm 49 of system 54 to be biased together about pin 53. Thebias force of spring 52 may be overcome upon application of sufficientdownward force in the direction of arrow 56 onto arms 49 of system 54.When training manikin 58 is placed into support 10 it is moveddownwardly in the direction of arrow 56. Pin 55 located centrally oncontact surface 16 forces arms of system 54 apart permitting pin 55 tobe retained within opening 57 between arms of system 54. Bar 55 contactsthe downward sloping upper inner surfaces 29 of each side of arms 49forcing them outwards rotating about pin 53, permitting bar 55 to beseated and held between arms 49 within opening 57 between the armsspring 52 holds arms 49 together retaining bar 55 within opening 57.

Clamp arm system 54 is attached to outer pipe 5 by inserting mountingpost 8 into the top of pipe 5 resting on bottom pin 6. Post 8 isrestricted from rotating within post 5 by a shorter quick release pin 60inserted into a corresponding opening in post 8. Pin 60 also preventsthe release of mounting post 8 from pipe 5.

Support 10 is designed with a rectangular slot (not shown) formedcentrally and longitudinally in each extension member 26 line withextension members 26 such that arms 49 are able to rotate outwardly inan unrestricted manner and such that arms 49 are forced outwardly by bar55 when sufficient torque or lifting force of greater than 20 kg (about196 Newtons) is applied on manikin 58. The applied force moves bar 55upward separating arms 49 against compression spring 52 releasing bar 55from opening 57 resulting in manikin 58 being released in the directionof the applied skill. Clamp arm system 54 is secured to support 10 bythreaded eye-bolt 51 extending through post 8. The eye of bolt 51 formsthe ring through which support pin 53 is inserted. The opposite end ofthreaded eye bolt 51 passes through and is secured to the base ofmounting post 8 by a counter sunk washer and threaded nut and lockwasher system 50.

Referring to FIG. 10, manikin 58 is releasable from both support 10 andclamp arm system 54 on application of a pre-determined force on manikin58. Rotation of manikin 58 in support 10, similar to rotation of manikin58 in the direction of arrow 45 as is depicted in FIG. 4, causes bar 55to pull against arms 49 with a pre-determined force sufficient toovercome the biasing force of spring 52 on arms 49 through upwardmovement of bar 55 in the direction of arrow 59. This causes arms 49 toseparate thereby releasing bar 55 from arms 49 while deflecting forwardextension member 26 to release manikin 59 from support 10. Manikin 58may also be released from support 10 and arms 49 in the oppositedirection, that is in a rearward direction as in when performing athrowing or tripping skill on manikin 58.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a substantial vertically positioned rod 71 hasupper and lower ball bearings 72 with its inner ring attached to eachend of the rod 71. Lower end of rod 71 is rigidly attached to base plate70 which is attached to the floor by securing bolts 110. Arched supportpost 73 inside diameter is sized to fit slideably over the outer ring ofbearings 72 to rest on plate 70. Arched support post 73 is arched aboverod 71. The top outer end of the arched support post 73 is solidlyattached to one end of support 112 curved upwardly at each of its endsand forming an underlying support structure to support manikin 58.Support 112 includes base member 81 rigidly attached at one end to post73 and extends forwardly in generally a U-shape to define cradlingsurface 14. Support 112 is primarily covered by urethane with forwardextension member 26 providing support and deflectable on application ofa pre-determined force on forward extension member 26, as previouslydescribed. However, rearward extension member 26 is not deflectable as asubstantial part is rigidly attached to post 73. Base member 81 includesa flat steel portion 82 which is not covered on its upper side byurethane. Portion 82 is designed to magnetically attract magnet 80adjacent contact surface 16 of manikin 58. Preferably portion 82 isannular as is magnet 80 as it has been found that the use of a circularmagnet permits equal magnetic resistance through 360 degrees. Flat steelportion 82 is shown positioned at the upper side of support 10 to reducethe distance to magnet 80 and thereby improve magnetic attractionbetween magnet 80 and flat steel portion 82.

The arched support post 73 can be optionally locked in position byinserting locking pin 78 into receiving aligned post 71 and support post73 holes 79. Otherwise post 73 is free to rotate on bearings 72.

Still referring to FIG. 11, a user may optionally attach an instructorapplied and controlled rotational handle system 74. Handle mounting ring75 is slid upwardly over the arched support post 73 before support post73 is mounted on vertical mounting post 71. Handle 74 is securely lockedto arched support post 73 by inserting pin 76 into handle 74 and archedsupport mount post aligned holes 77. Thus an instructor may rotate thearched support mount post around vertical mounting post 71 by movinghandle 74 either left or right causing training manikin 58 to moveaccordingly thereby providing a user a moving target.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a wall mounted support system for support 114is depicted attached to wall 99. Supporting arm 95 is attached to wallmounting plate 97 that is securely attached to the wall by bolts 98. Arm95 is further supported by strut 96. Arm end plate 92 is attached to theouter end of arm 95 and has channels (not shown) which accept bolts 93to permit the slideable height adjustment of plate 90 by tightening orloosening bolts 93. Plate 90 includes threaded through holes 91 designedand located to receive threaded bolts 93. Thus plate 90 can be fastenedsecurely to arm 95 by tightening bolts 93. As described previously,front extension member 26 is moveable on application of a pre-determinedforce to deflect as depicted in FIG. 4 to permit rotation or lateralmovement of manikin 58 in a forward direction away from arm 95.

Optionally, the upward extension of plate 92 may include belt loops (notshown) attached to the back of plate 92 to receive belt 94 that securelyattaches manikin 58 to support 114. The wall mounted system depicted inFIG. 12 permits movement of legs 106, 108 in a forward or rearwarddirection thus permitting law enforcement trainers to practicehandcuffing skills wherein the hands are cuffed behind the back.

1. A support for a manikin comprising: (a) first and second opposedextension members when normally positioned cooperating to form acradling surface to releasably support the manikin configured to permitremoval of the manikin from the support impeded only by the extensionmembers when normally positioned; (b) a base member connector forconnecting the extension members to a base member; (c) the firstextension member biased in an inward direction toward the secondextension member to return to its normal position and moveable from itsnormal position in an outward direction away from the second extensionmember upon application of a pre-determined force on the first extensionmember; (d) the second extension member being elongated with opposedsides parallel with the longitudinal axis of the second extension memberwith an outer surface of continuous substantially smooth contour withoutany protrusions to minimizing the possibility that the movement of themanikin will be interfered with through contact with the secondextension member when the manikin is moved with respect to the cradlingsurface; wherein when the manikin is supported by the cradling surfacethe manikin may be moved in an outward direction on movement of thefirst extension member in the outward direction on application of thepre-determined force.
 2. The support as described in claim 1 wherein theextension members are curved upwardly and outwardly away from oneanother.
 3. The support as described in claim 2 wherein the members arein co-planar alignment.
 4. The support as described in claim 1 whereinthe members are in co-planar alignment.
 5. The support as described inclaim 1 wherein the second member is tubular in cross-section.
 6. Thesupport as described in claim 1 wherein the second member is thinner inwidth at the outer end as compared to the inner end of the secondmember.
 7. The support as described in claim 1 wherein the secondextension member is about 2 inches to 4 inches wide.
 8. The support asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the second extension member is about 3inches wide.
 9. The support as described in claim 1 wherein the firstextension member is resiliently deformable so as to be movable in theoutward direction on application of the pre-determined force and due toits inward bias movable inwardly to its normal position when thepredetermined force is released from the first extension member.
 10. Thesupport as described in claim 9 wherein the first extension memberfurther comprises a reinforcement member preventing the movement of thefirst extension member beyond a pre-determined position in the outwarddirection.
 11. The support as described in claim 9 wherein the secondextension member is biased in an inward direction toward the firstextension member to return to its normal position and moveable from itsnormal position in an outward direction away from the first extensionmember upon application of a second pre-determined force on the secondextension member.
 12. The support as described in claim 1 wherein thefirst extension member further comprises biasing means for biasing thefirst extension member in the inward direction, said biasing meansmovable on application of the predetermined force to permit movement ofthe first extension member in the outward direction.
 13. The support asdescribed in claim 12 wherein the biasing means is a spring.
 14. Thesupport as described in claim 1 wherein the extension members areconfigured so that the cradling surface generally conforms to the shapeof a corresponding contact surface on the manikin.
 15. The support asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the manikin is removable from the cradlingsurface in the outward direction when the first member is deflected onapplication of the predetermined force.
 16. The support as described inclaim 1 wherein the manikin is returned to a rest position when thefirst extension member returns to its normal position on release of thepre-determined force.
 17. The support as described in claim 1 whereinthe manikin is connected to the cradling surface to prevent removal ofthe manikin from the cradling surface.
 18. The support as described inclaim 1 further comprising a releasable manikin connector comprising afirst connector member cooperating with the cradling surface and acorresponding second connector member cooperating with the manikin toreleasably connect the manikin to the cradling surface, the first andsecond connector members releasable from one another to separate themanikin from the cradling surface on application of a pre-determinedforce.
 19. The support as described in claim 18 wherein the firstconnector member is a magnet and the second connector member is amagnetic attractant.
 20. The support as described in claim 19 whereinthe first extension member further comprises a reinforcement member toprevent deflection of the first extension member beyond a pre-determinedposition in the outward direction and wherein the reinforcement memberacts as the magnetic attractant.
 21. The support as described in claim18 wherein the first connector member is a hook fastener and the secondconnector member is a corresponding loop fastener.
 22. The support asdescribed in claim 18 wherein the first connector member is a releasablehook and the second connector member is a flange securable in the hook.23. The support as described in claim 18 wherein the releasable manikinconnector cooperates with the first extension member to release themanikin from the cradling surface upon application of the predeterminedforce on the first extension member.
 24. The support as described inclaim 1 wherein the first and second extension members are integral withone another.
 25. The support as described in claim 1 wherein eachextension member extends upwardly and away from the other extensionmember to form the cradling surface in the region between the extensionmembers when the first extension member is in its normal position. 26.The support as described in claim 1 wherein when the first extensionmember is in the normal position it prevents a manikin supported in thecradle surface from rotating about an axis adjacent the cradling surfaceand on application of the predetermined force on the first extensionmember the manikin is free to rotate about the axis so that the upperpart of the manikin is rotatable in the outward direction.
 27. Thesupport as described in claim 1 further comprising an attachment memberattaching the manikin to the first extension member.
 28. The support asdescribed in claim 1 further comprising an attachment member attachingthe manikin to the first and second extension members.
 29. The supportas described in claim 1 wherein the second extension member is biased inan inward direction toward the first extension member to return to itsnormal position and movable from its normal position in an outwarddirection away from the first extension member upon application of asecond pre-determined force on the second extension member.
 30. Thesupport as described in claim 29 wherein the second extension member isresiliently deformable so as to be movable in the outward direction onapplication of the second pre-determined force and due to its inwardbias movable inwardly to its normal position when the secondpredetermined force is released from the second extension member.